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https://exhibits.library.illinois.edu/s/rbml/item/3897
- Title
- Sacred Theory of the Earth
- Description
- Thomas Burnet, in Sacred Theory of the Earth (1680-1689), coined the phrase “Theory of the Earth”, although his was “Sacred” and not the first attempt to deduce the workings of the Earth from physical principals. Burnet’s theory was biblically based, but decidedly not literal, and contained elements that would later be expanded upon by future savants. Notably, Burnet proposed a finite Earth that had both a beginning and end, and experienced successive Epochs or revolutions (shown on the frontispiece of the volume), which implies a degree of directionality to this particular theory of the Earth. Although religious in terms of ultimate causes for the origin of the Earth, Burnet stressed the importance of considering only natural processes in deducing Earth’s past and future state.
- Call Number (click link to view in library catalog)
- Q. 213 B93tE1691
- Authors
- Burnet, Thomas
- Full Title
- The theory of the earth : containing an account of the original of the earth, and of all the general changes which it hath already undergone, or is to undergo till the consummation of all things : the two last books, concerning the burning of the world, and concerning the new heavens and new earth.
- Date
- 1697
- From the Exhibit
- In Search of Lost Time: Religious Chronologics
- Publisher
- Roger Norton
- Location
- London
- Language
- English
- Rights
-
This item is the physical property of the Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Intellectual property rights, including copyright, may reside with the materials' creator(s) or their heirs.
The Rare Book & Manuscript Library's reproduction and publication policies are available here: https://www.library.illinois.edu/rbx/collections/reproduction-services/. The library welcomes requests for reproductions made from works in our collections, though restrictions may apply to certain materials. Please contact the library with any questions at askacurator@illinois.edu. - Type
- Text
- Medium
- Book
- Bibliographic Citation
- Burnet, Thomas. Sacred Theory of the Earth. London: Roger Norton, 1697.